001elementary where our preschool is right now. Okay. But they they handle that and they bring them in at different in different waves. And then of course all preschools on the 27th. So just a a reminder. Here we go. Um we found out earlier too. I just want to give really quick up to-date transportation. Um we had a little hiccup this week. Uh little uh that's one way to call it. This is a we had a hiccup. So uh so if you don't know we we've changed from versatrans which was not upgrading their software package. So it was there was a time when versat which is the backbone of our transportation uh routing system etc was probably the premier one. it hasn't over a few years. So, and they haven't been keeping up and making the
002upgrades that they need to. And Transfinder, the name of this company that we use now, uh is really kind of taking the lead in a lot of this area. And so, uh they started to send out their their mass emails. One of the things that you're going to see as a parent, it's going to be called Stopfinder. If you hear that term Stopfinder, if you're a parent and you're using our transportation services, you should have gotten a a direct email with the link to download that app. That app is fantastic. We used Mr. Fellows and his family as a guinea pig since he's got a few kids in the district. Once you do it, once all your kids connect into it and what's really cool, there's I can't even tell you all the different things
003that it does. One of it is, let's say I live on whatever street, pick a street, you can tell this app, when my kid or this bus gets to this corner, >> let me know and it'll send you a notice that your kid is on the bus. right here. So, you're going to get real time uh updates where the bus is that your child is on. So, um again, the difference is you've got to download that that app. It's easy, super easy, and it'll it'll be fun once you get get it up and running. But we didn't know there was a real issue until might have been late Monday, first part of Tuesday when we realized some of these weren't being delivered. And what we found out and the company, I'll give them credit, they
004stepped up and and said that was on us. They had and have since developed the patch on their software. Um, so we started sending those out again and just in one day had 1500 new families download the app. So we know how fast now. Is it perfect? I don't know. We probably have um I'm sure we'll have a few more. And there's some people that haven't downloaded it yet that maybe their kids not going till Friday and they'll do it tomorrow. Kind of sometimes is a last minute thing. So, uh, if there's any other issues, again, I know they were inundated with a lot of calls. Um, as far as we know, um, most of those are rolling. If there if there's issues, just, um, you know, send an email or contact our transportation. It's
005slowing down to where it's now manageable. Um, but thank you to the company and and I want to really have a big shout out to our people down at our transportation building. Once they knew it was there was an issue. I think it was 1000 p.m. before they ever left both day last couple of days. So, they have worked their tails off to rectify it. Um, and I appreciate their hard work on this. So, um, but as as as with anything, I will also remind you that with transportation, regardless of what you're using, it takes a couple of weeks for it to kind of fully shake out because we have to account for everybody, but we know not everybody rides the bus. So, as we determine and we hear nobody's going to ride this bus,
006then we squeeze the squeeze them down. could change some of the stop the you know the bus stop areas so we consolidate and get it down pretty quickly. So again thank you for your patience as we uh continue to move past this. Um one other big big change part of the uh bianial budget was the cell phone policy. This is now in Ohio law. Uh good news is we were pretty close to being there anyway. Um especially um elementaryaries and Nagel were really really kind of there already and basically what it does is and the impact will be more of the high school now but the high school had really taken steps and I'll give them a lot of credit because we saw it coming last year. We knew it was coming. Um it was
007a hard suggestion and now it's a law. So um and that is there's no sales from the start of the school day, first bell to the end. Uh that means not at lunch. That's the difference for our high school. You can't have it at lunch or you can't have it at uh in between classes. Um and so since you got the governor agreeing to it, you got the house agreeing to it and you got the Senate and they've all signed off on it. I doubt if it'll be overridden. So, that's pretty much done. We just think it's probably the smartest thing to start off the year, get the bugs out of it right out of the gate. The actual law goes into effect October. It's 90 days after the governor signs it, but uh that's
008kind of silly to try to that's like giving somebody candy and say, "Oh, sorry. Got to give it back now." So, we're going right into it. There are some exceptions that they'll handle at the buildings. Certainly IEPs, 504 if they're documented to be need some, you know, we have some people say, "What about, you know, a medical issue, you know, like diabetes, you know, the little patches?" Yes, we'll handle it. Those will run through the the um our nurses and come up just for review to make sure they're accurate. So, um we've got it covered. Um >> yeah. >> How do you handle like I'm sitting here on my Mac. How do you handle like my phone's not out and I can certainly get text messages right on my Mac. >> Ask about that. >>
009We don't let them use Max though. I'm >> kidding. I tell them texting. I I sense this board meetings. >> Oh, I get Yeah, I get pizza. >> Well, it's not it's not perfect by any stretch. Is that gonna be just up? >> We're just right now it's it's really uh communication devices. So, you know, if you have an Apple Watch, if you are using it for time, that's fine. But if you you're over in the corner acting like Dick Tracy, you know, sorry. Gosh, I aged myself there, didn't I? You did. Dick Tracing. I'm sorry. >> But if you're doing that, we'll probably we'll probably have an issue. So, um, but we're we've already talked to our administrators. They'll work with our kids. Our kids are great kids that, you know, the number of
010incidences will be, I'm sure, very low. Um, there are other places where I'm sure it'll be a bigger challenge, but anyway, that that's a pretty big one, especially for our kids, but we gave them kind of some warning just so that they kind of knew. Um, finally, we we got some great news today. >> Uh, again, we're both of our high schools, uh, we've got the, uh, information from US News and World Report and both of our high schools are ranked in the top 5% of all high schools in Ohio. That's over I don't even remember what the number of high schools. There are 614 districts, but there's a whole lot more high schools. So that's a pretty that's that's some rarified air. So congratulations to both uh Anderson and Turpin. Uh both high schools
011are ranked in the type top 5% in America. That's that's awesome. So I'm I'm super excited for them. Uh won't go into the the rest of that. Uh but I just I just think that's a big shout out to all of our teachers because you know what they started in elementary school >> right >> absolutely >> and metriculated all through their grades and graduated from Turban or from Anderson. So one of these kind of recognitions is really a recognition to all of our our teachers and our staff. So congratulations to them. I just wanted to give a big shout out to them. >> Yeah, >> thank you >> very much. Thanks. >> Thanks. >> Uh item 7.1 procedures for public commentary. The board is committed to conducting its meetings in a productive and efficient manner
012to asssure that the meeting is completed in a reasonable amount of time while also recognizing the importance of fair and adequate opportunity for public input. In order to conduct an orderly and fair representation of expression, the board will provide a period for public participation per policy PO0169.1 at every regular board meeting. Public participation will be a total of 30 minutes. Each speaker will have three minute time limit. If there are more than 10 speakers, individual time may will be adjusted down to fit within the 30 minutes. Uh the board does not discriminate based on an individual content of this content of the speech or viewpoint of the speaker. If this if several people wish to speak on the same topic, the time limit may be adjusted at the president's discretion. Speakers should be prepared to
013respond to questions from board members seeking to clarify the issue. Uh we have two speakers. Up first is Anne Zimmer. Thanks, Bob. Good evening. My name is Ann Zimmerman and I'm here to talk to to you about Anderson's parks and why they are an important partner to the Forest Hill School District. I am the co-chair of the committee to pass the Anderson Park levy that will be on the ballot on November 4th. This levy will be a replacement levy. The current levy stops when this passes. This levy is 1.8 mil, which is less than the current levy rate of 1.9 mil. That rate reduction is a show of good faith from the park commissioners to the community about their commitment to fiscal responsibility within our park district's operations. We as a township passed a capital
014levy in 2023 with which authorized the park district to make a number of improvements in our parks like the new turf fields and lights at Riverside or the pickleball courts at Kellogg Park. But none of that money from 2023 is allowed to be used for the park's operations. To operate, maintain the fields, pay staff, and run programs. The park district relies on the operating levies that it has had in effect for decades. Unlike many other levies in Ohio, park levies actually expire after 10 years. That is an essential point to understand in making your choice in November. The school leveies are continuing levies as you are all aware. The park levy is not. If this ballot issue does not pass, the parks will lose their main source of revenue next year. They will no longer
015have the funds to maintain our parks and operate as a district as they do now. There is a direct connection between the Anderson Park District and the Forest Hill School District. Today, I will share a couple of those connections with you, and I will be back next month to share a few more. Number one, the parks act as a feeder system for school athletics. Many of our student athletes at Turp and Anderson and Nagel first discovered and developed their athletic skills through youth programs offered by the Anderson Park District. These programs, whether soccer, baseball, tennis, or others, serve as a feeder system into our school teams, helping students build foundational skills, confidence, and a love for sports from a young age. And number two, there is a direct use of park facilities by school teams.
016Our schools actively rely on Anderson Park facilities. Turpent and Anderson high school teams use Clear Creek, Riverside, and Veterans Park for soccer, baseball, and softball. I believe Turpin's football team has also practiced at Riverside in the past when their field space was tight. Nagel Middle School uses the Jewel of Park tennis courts for both boys and girls tennis. Our Anderson parks are essential extensions of Forest Hill School District's athletic infrastructure. Please vote yes for the Anderson Parks in November and go to www.preserveanderson parks.org for more information or to support our campaign. Thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight and I'll see you again next month with more ways that we work together. >> Thanks Ann. Hey Ann, real quick. Is there also are there also some um social media pages or >> we're getting
017the social media up and running now. Okay. As you know, we're all volunteers and learning as we go. >> Okay. >> So, we have the web page up and um we have lit now and we have signs being ordered and we'll have social media presence. So, we would love it if you I know you can't as an official group um support a levy, but there's lots of people listening tonight who can and all of you as individuals can stand up and publicly say as a resident we support the parks and that would mean so much to pass this levy. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Up next is Jeff Nye. Hey, Jeff Nye 1000 Ever Soul. Uh, welcome back everyone. Um, hope everyone had a good summer. Um, stopfinder, we had some glitches the other
018day. I think Stopfinder is the 10th different way the district communicates with me. Um, when Parent Square came out last year, I think the promise was we were going to reduce the number of ways we're communicating with parents. I hope you can find a way to get Stopfinder integrated with Parent Square so I can delete just any one app off my phone. All that's neither here nor there. It's not really what I talk about. Um Stacy's kids go back tomorrow. I'm a little jealous. My kids, who I love dearly, don't go back uh till Friday. I'm ready to get them out of the house. Um but they've actually been in school for uh a little while already. Um my eighth grader is a web leader, so she was in the building four days last week.
019Um I was uh in over at Nagel on Monday for the convocation representing the foundation. Uh I was here here yesterday for the foundation for their back to school event. Then I went to Nagel uh for the foundation for the back school and then I walked around Nagel with my eighth grader to meet all their teachers and everything. It's just all I really want to say is it's great to see everyone so excited to be back at school. The kids are thrilled to be here. I'm thrilled the kids are there too. Um and the teachers are very excited to see everyone. I saw a lot of you at various events there too and and some of the board members as well. Um so thanks to everyone who puts on these events um gets the buildings
020ready and I hope we have a great year ahead of us. One thing I want to mention that Stacy maybe didn't. We are still accepting teacher grants for the foundation through Sunday. So teachers get your grants in. That's all I got. Thanks. >> Thank you. >> Thanks Jeff. >> Item eight one human resources. Mr. Phillips back up. >> Good evening again. uh straightforward HR report which is always nice. Um we have uh item A is a fairly extensive list of appointments. It includes a handful of uh last minute additions on our certified side, classified employees um as well as um some substitute employees uh and then a whole host of uh supplemental positions. Uh speaking of uh web and those transitions uh both web and link at the high schools um and we appreciate the
021foundation's support um in in some of those positions as well. Just the uh the transition is such a critical time and and there's a whole whole bunch of hands in the cookie jar making that happen. So um great things there. Um I I included a note on the draft of the HR report. I just want to call it out just so it's to your attention. One uh update since the draft went out last week is simply with respect to how we do um drivers in training. Obviously you all are well aware of uh the difficulty in uh finding uh bus drivers in our current climate. It's not unique to us. Um not unique to Ohio, but uh it it is a challenge. Uh, as of yesterday, uh, the numbers we received from Richard, uh, we
022have 54 routes. We have 50 drivers. We have three of those 50 who are out on long-term medical leaves. And we just got a text yesterday afternoon with a another injury and a need for a leave. So, it is it is a a challenge to say the least. Um, one of the things that we have tried to explore is the uh drivers in training. Historically, we've not been able to pay them until they complete their training because we consider them to be we hire them as drivers and they aren't actually licensed to be drivers, which is a bit of an issue. Not many people can leave a position and then wait, you know, the equivalent of, you know, a full two, three weeks and not get any pay. Um, so the title of those just
023for those trainees, those as they come in and they're in that training period, we've got that adjusted to transportation personnel. And you'll see three individuals listed currently. Um, and moving forward, there's no change in terms of uh the cost to the district. It is for services rendered. Um but rather than deferring say for um 30-day period before you get paid for some of the training, the 30 hours of training, we'll pay you along the way um as a transportation personnel, a driver in training essentially, after which time we would move you to a full-time employee um and you'll be licensed and there wouldn't be an issue. So, I just wanted to mention that because it it it happened rather late and I didn't want that to go unnoticed. Um, and also another example of just
024time after just times that we're attempting to try to mitigate some of the labor uh issues on the transportation side of the equation. Um, item B, number of employees listed in the exhibit. Forgot to mention we're starting the consent agenda. I'm jumping back. And then we've got a handful of uh student teachers for approval uh for this year as well. Um, no substantive changes on item D, job descriptions. Those are uh purely technical changes. Um and uh so no no major um major changes to report there. Any questions? >> Would it be beneficial at all to start a bus drivers at a higher salary? >> You know, it's an interesting question and I think if you ask the drivers and we did several years ago, I mean after saying, well, yeah, I mean that would
025be great. Um our pay comparative to industry rates is competitive. Okay. >> Um we do those salary studies, you know, regularly. Um and uh and so and it is a mixed bag. You've heard me say it before in terms of you know who we're actually recruiting, what the audience is, and there's a number of factors that go into, you know, all of that. So obviously salary is certainly one of them, but I'm pleased to report that although we're not leading the pack in uh in the state of Ohio in terms of the highest pay, um we're certainly right in there and very competitive um above average in terms of that salary. Good question though. Any other questions? Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Item 8.2. >> Oh, >> Mr. Fellas. >> Welcome back. >>
026Not used to a second one. Um, item 8.2 is also a technical change on uh the compliance officers. That's that's all. Um and and that is in in part in response to Betsy Ryan's uh retirement uh last spring. Thank you. That concludes my report. >> Business operations item 9.1. Uh Mr. Eert. >> Normally I'd try to give Mr. Fellows a hard time for talking too much, but he was trying to help my department with the the change. So that's a good thing. Now, it I really do uh before I get to my agenda items, I really do want to express, you know, publicly a thanks to Richard Porter, Sarah Gekki, and Christy Nagel. The amount of hours those three have been putting in throughout this entire transition process and in this past two-week period is
027an obscene amount of time. And I just wanted to say, you know, we would not be opening school u tomorrow or transporting kids at least tomorrow if they didn't put in all the effort they did. So I want to make sure to thank them publicly. Um okay, now on to my agenda items. I have five agenda items. U the first one is something you've seen on a regular basis. Uh resolution declaring impractical transportation to certain non-public schools. If you look at your attachment, the blue uh students were the new students added for this month. And 9.2, this is an annual item where we approve, we place the buff stops for the school year, but it also, this is the key factor to this resolution. It gives uh the authority to the superintendent or designate to
028alter and subsequently change bus stops throughout the year for efficiency purposes. And as Mr. Hook shared earlier, this is a very fluid um event, the bus stops. And so over the next, you know, three, four weeks, they will be refined and changed. And then, of course, we, you know, get certain moveins and stuff throughout the year. we may have to add stops or reroute stops. So that is item 9.2. Uh 9.3 is also something you the board members have seen uh over a number of years is uh adver a permitting us to work with the EPC to do our bus bid advertising and purchasing through it as part of the capital plan. We do have scheduled more buses every year uh to work our cycle. So that is that resolution with that EPC. The fourth
0299.4 is something um I guess um Miss Jonas and Mr. Bib were here last time we did this. It's this the YMC before school after school program. They offer a great cost-effective product to our uh parents. So, we definitely want to keep them as valued partners. So, that's a two-year agreement. And >> how many schools is is that across? I know there has been times we've been able to provide that in all the elementaryaries and time when we haven't been able to. Again, that's a little bit in flux right now also because last year they did combined schools and they were able to provide transportation shuttles from the morning to the you know to get the kids to their regular school. Uh they're in a situation too they can't provide shuttles either. So they're working
030on their enrollments and it will be a cost effective whether they can enroll or not. uh you know if a parent would provide that transportation I'm sure the YMCA would have no problem but there is no way we can provide that transportation. Any other questions on that one? Okay, cool. The um last item is the 9.5 lease agreement with Seven Hills Church. The original agreement was a five-year agreement. It has uh come up a couple key things in here. the nature of the agreement has uh increased. We have raised the rent for to $4,000 which is basically a 25% increase. Um they're great partners with us and we just did some little solidifying in the contract of areas of usage and stuff like that. The first one was open because no one really knew what
031we were going to do. So we just wanted to uh get it wired a little more tight. Um, and those four five items are mine. So, at this time, I'd like to recommend the board approve 9.1 to 9.5 as part of the consent agenda. If there aren't any questions. >> Yes, sir. >> Yeah, John. Um, you know, this comes up seemingly every time we talk about the impractical transportation, but it's always someone's first time watching this. It's part of state law in Ohio revised code that the public school district must provide transportation correct to all students living in their district even if they're going to private schools. >> Correct. >> And in this case, there are students that go to private schools that it's more financially beneficial to the district to pay them gas mileage
032than bus say one student 30 minutes away to to a school. >> Correct. Yes. And it is actually a flat fee that we we char we pay to the people. Uh there are there are a number of schools that it's just not economically viable for us to run one student or two students to that. So yes, that is the process. >> And then relatedly, we are also following legislation I've seen put forth that would suggest this will no longer be an option for public schools to offer payment in lie. that there would be an expectation of busing every single student, even if it's one student on a bus 30 minutes away. So, um just as an awareness piece, that is something else that has been put forth in Columbus um in recent months and we
033are watching to see where it leads. >> And we don't want that. >> We don't want that. >> We Yeah. >> public school wants it. >> No, >> you know, Mr. reporter make something uh viable and the the challenge is as long as it's viable for district and viable for the students too because >> at times to what can happen is a lot of extremely long runs for students too >> and that's not good for the student either. So we don't need young kids on buses for hour plus. >> How many buses are in the fleet John >> please? Our fleet, >> we are at 63 buses. Please don't quote me 100% on this. 63 buses, 60 one bus is 53 routes. So those are uh spare buses and everything like that because inevitably a
034bus breaks, you know. So we've got >> Did we lose that one that was wrecked or was it able to service? The update on the wreck is right now it's still impounded. >> Um >> we it's part of a criminal investigation, but uh once we were able to secure the scene and everything was good and people uh Spencer, our head mechanic, you know, obviously was on site for an issue like that, his gut, and this is strictly a gut, does not believe the frame was compromised, so it would not be a total. So hopefully once we get it back, the state highway patrol is actually trying to help us get it back quicker because they know we need it in our fleet. Uh but it's under CPD Cincinnati Police Department at this time >> and
035they have to do their investigations too. So but I can just say I've been in doing it 35 years, you know, not just transportation, but I've seen some nasty bus stuff. But when I joged down the road to get to the bus and I saw that car, it was one of the worst looking wrecks I'd ever seen. There was basically nothing left to the car. But and our students, our driver and our aid that was on the bus, other than emotionally, they're rock solid. We we drive yellow tanks and it's a good thing. Any other questions? >> And then with regard to the Seven Hills lease, I understand it's been an increase in cost. I just don't have a lot of um comparison points for renting out space in our building. Is this comparable to
036what we would expect for for renting space to others for other religious institutions renting spaces elsewhere? >> U yes, it's a unique the Seven Hills contract is a unique beast because it's a long-term uh setup with finite m. We have had other uh church services and stuff, you know, do a few things at Turpin and stuff, but no one's ever wanted to go into a long-term lease agreement with us. Um there some stop gaps, some holiday things, but as far as, you know, whether if we have Leedance Studios, I don't even think they exist anymore, but Ledance Studios, you know, come and rent the stages, the prices are comparable. But, you know, obviously with everything that Seven Hills does for us, too, there's a lot of like and kind exchanging that they do with the
037service projects and stuff, they've been awesome partners. So, it's a it's a win-win situation for both the district and and the church. >> We're charging a thousand bucks per week effectively. >> Yes. >> Sunday morning, we're not doing anything else with the space. So, correct. >> Incrementally, it's all free revenue with not much cost. >> Yeah, it it works out well for us. So, >> thank you. If nothing else, I will say Mr. Ogden. >> Up next, uh, 10.1, teaching and learning. Trevor Ogden. >> Good evening, everybody. I have two items on this evening's agenda. First would be to approve the agreement with ASM Global, which is the truest arena at Northern Kentucky University for this upcoming year upcoming year. uh high school graduations of both Turpin and Anderson High School. Um any questions in
038regards to that agreement with the with asn >> I'm sorry, what? >> Pretty much the same agreement as past years. >> Yeah, same agreement. There was there were some minute changing of costs and stuff, but we actually came out a little onhead, but nothing to really brag about. So, but yeah, same agreement. >> Thanks, J. >> Okay, item 10.2 two is actually pretty cool and exciting. Normally the field trips are pretty chill, you know, hey, we have it set up. But, uh, this came in actually at the very end of July for Anderson's varsity boys golf team because, as you know, they won the ECC last year and made it to the state tournament and awesome stuff. They were invited to the Kylie Cup in um, Cleveland at the Canterbury Golf Club. um first time
039we've been invited. It's the top 75 golfers uh male golfers in the state. So, it's with a number of powerhouse golf teams. Um so, just really exciting that a we were invited. It's invite only and that uh we're able to to pull this off. So, really cool experience for for our golfers um as we as we head into the season, actually during the season. So, what what better way than get a couple rounds at a premier country club. >> Any questions with that? >> Okay, thank you so much. >> Thank you, Chuck. >> Item 10.3, Mr. Buck. >> Uh, it's pretty exciting to start back to school tomorrow and, uh, Friday, and I am bringing camp current in May, and Dr. Ogden is bringing graduation in May. So, uh, a lot of planning goes into
040both of those. Uh, so I am bringing Camp Kern for all of our fifth grade students. Um, this will be, uh, April 27th through the 29th for Maddox and Sherwood this year. April 29th and May 1st for Aaron Sherwood. Uh, May 6 through the 8th for Mercer and Wilson. Um, this will remain the same cost as last year at 175. Uh we do have provisions in place for full and partial scholarships uh at the building level if need be. Uh ask that you approve the fifth grade camp current overnight field trips. Any questions? >> Their shirts included in all that. >> Shirts are included. Yep. Everybody will get a shirt. Good. Thank you, sir. 10.4. Mr. Roth. Uh, good evening board members. I have a couple annual contract renewals to discuss with you this evening.
041Uh, 10.4 is the renewal of an annual service contract. It's the um partnership between Hamilton County Educational Service Center and Immaculate Heart of Mary School and their use of various uh federal funding allocations that flow through our district. 10.5 is the renewal of an annual service contract with Cincinnati Occupational Therapy Institute to provide uh services at Ohio Valley Voices for a student educational placement there. And um 10.6 is the renewal of an annual service contract for a student placement at Ohio Valley Voices. Um, OBV uh provides specialized services for students with significant hearing loss or deafness and it's a placement through an IEP there. Any questions on those u contracts? >> With the IHM contract, Atlanta, you've mentioned before on this these are the federal funds and we serve as the what's the term? >>
042These are um a combination of state funds. So 401 fund 401 on your um cash position report and then the um IDA I think I looked at the contract um they set aside a bit that has to go to IHM and the 401 funds we wouldn't get. We get those from the state for IHM. Those aren't funds we would otherwise be able to use for Forest Hills. >> Good. We're like a conduit in that. I mean, she's right. Fiscal agent. >> Fiscal agent used to be the public um >> treasurer had to be the fiscal officer for all private schools in the within our geographical area, but the state changed that a few years ago and they allow the private schools to choose if they want to get their money directly. So, Miami Valley chooses
043to get theirs directly. IHM still hasn't come through us. >> Okay, great. Thank you. Uh, no other questions. It's recommend the board approve items 10.1 through 10.6 as part of the consent agenda. >> Thank you. >> Well done. >> You can breathe now. >> That was awesome. 11.1 the treasurer's report. Miss Crawford. >> All right. Well, we have two months to report to you tonight since we don't have a regular board meeting during the month of uh July. So, the first reports we're going to go over are for the month of June um 2025 and that's the last month of our fiscal year 25. So again the first slide starting with slide um A is donations and you can see during the month of June we received 64,000 in donations which brought our total donations
044for the fiscal year um to just under 615,000. That's an 11.4% increase over fiscal year 24. So thanks to all of our donors and district has wonderful supporters that keep supplementing our our programs. How much of that is the sports partnership with um it >> so let's see John remind me if I'm wrong but the high schools get 50,000 so we get 200 >> high school each building >> will receive $50,000 for their >> secondary and then I receive 50 >> for district uh athletic purposes. >> Okay. And that's included here in the donation. >> It is. >> Yeah. Um slide item B gives you the snapshot of the May 25 forecast. Uh item C presents the general fund, our five-year forecast revenues by carrying by comparing our estimate on the May forecast uh to
045year-to- date actuals. And you can see on this slide the largest um single uh uh source of funds for the school district is local funds, the majority of that being property taxes. Item D presents the general fund um our five-year forecast expenditures again by comparing estimate to actuals. And as you can see there at uh year end, we were right at um uh 10. I need to call it up so I can look at it. Sorry about that. Our end of the year expenditures. Um expenditures. Wrong report. Sorry about that. Let's get the right report up. Right at$und00 million. So we cracked the $und00 million mark um for our fiscal year 25. Are there any incumbrances that are included in that number that we expect to expend within the first 60 90 days of the
046next fiscal year or is that all actual cash out of pocket? >> That what we have on this spreadsheet is actual out of cash out of pocket numbers or anything like that? >> Um not in that but the um at um if you look at the cash position report it has the incumbrances on. >> I know that's I didn't know. >> Yeah. And really the encumbrances are when we prepare the gap report, they are supposed to be things that will be liquidated within the next 60 days. So you're right there. Yeah. So moving on from the expenditures, item E presents the activity of the general fund cash balance and the B be balance at the beginning last July 1, was 23.3 million and after adding revenues and expenditures during the year, our cash balance at
047June 30 stands at 31.2 million. So or put another way as you can see on the the slide we can operate the district for 112 days but after the um million of encumbrances we can operate for 108 days. Um one of the things to notice on this slide that I wanted to point out the district um uh ended finished the years with our revenues exceeding our expenditures. Alo a budgetary positive variance of uh 7.9 million. So that positive budget finish is thanks to the community support at the polls at our last levy. Um that last levy brings in a little bit over 8 million. So we would have been in a deficit funding um situation this year if not for those levies. So, um, always good to mention that and thanks so much for our
048wonderful community support both at the polls and with donations. >> So, Elena, not just I mean that's that's a huge piece that we have this surplus, but also that the surplus is 108 days which is in line with recommendations not just for businesses but for adulting of having about three months worth of cash on hand in case of a crisis or some other situation. So the amount we have is not hugely disproportionate to that. It's right in mind with what we would expect to have to be fiscally responsible as a district. Is that a fair statement? >> That is a very fair statement. And um we have um 31 million which is about 31% then of our expenditures. Well under what the state would consider to be um during the budget process they were looking
049at a school district should not be over 40%. So, we're well under that mark as well. Moving on to item F. Um, this presents the detailed activity um for the main permanent improvement cost center. Um, one of the things I want to mention is we were talking about John was talking about the uh seven hills lease. This particular slide is the main permanent improvement fund. So, if you look at your cash position report, it's going to be O3 0000. And that's what this slide is talking about. But also, a couple of rows down on that same report, you're going to see um O3 uh cost uh special cost center 9022, 7 Hills monthly rentals, and that's where the monthly rentals come. Right below it, you see another cost center for the security deposit. And out
050of the 50,000 that um uh Anderson Hills put down, we still have a balance of 46,542 to spend for capital repairs that we both agree on. So, moving on with this report, we have here our summer projects still from last summer, summer uh 20 uh 24. And the next slide details what is happening in summer 25 projects as of June 30th, but of course we're going to have July here in just a minute. >> Can I ask why we're still when you say summer, we're now talking about two summers ago, correct? That there's the one encumbrance. >> There's that one encumbrance >> the Turpin Auditorium lighting. Is there something? Is there a hold out? There was a reason we're not >> there. There was not an issue with it. We were um uh believe it
051or not, some people don't bill properly and uh we will not pay until we receive it for an invoice. >> Yeah, we did. Yeah. A little bit of a spoiler, you know. This is a little bit behind. You'll see we got uh an invoice for like uh 16,000 and and paid that in July. At July, you're going to see there's 2500 hanging out. That was taken care at the beginning of August. So when we bring the August report, it will be the last time we all see this. Thank goodness. So, and of course, here are the numbers for this past summer. Moving on, item G um presents the investment earnings um at the end of our fiscal year 25 and also for um three prior years of history. Um we earned uh 2.4 4 million
052in interest for our fiscal year uh 25 and that was up just very very slightly over 24 about 1 half of 1%. And of course that interest um is mainly deposited into the O3 fund um with the exception of food service um uh other funds that are statutoily required to receive interest food service um uh 401 auxiliary funds things like that. Elena, how often do we review who our investment advisors are? >> Um, we uh >> not that I think anybody's doing anything wrong curiosity. >> You know what, that's one of the things that that we do review. That's one of the things going to seminars that we both of them present at seminars. There's really two main investment banks. >> Most people in Ohio go to one of two. >> Yeah. One or two
053plus banks. We do have um some investments. We use Mutter as our main investment provider, but we do have some investments through Fifth Third as well. >> So, but yeah, >> I just >> that's that's certainly something we could take a look at. >> I was curious if >> yeah, >> if it made sense at some point to look at it and diversify further or take advantage of things and I'm I know there are restrictions on what we're allowed to invest in and all that stuff as well. So, >> we may be better off sticking with one of the two state people because they know exactly what we're allowed to do and what we're not. We definitely want to stay with people who are used to the government regulations. Sounds like a topic for our
054finance committee. >> Good thing Jason's running. >> Top of it. >> All right, moving on. Um, let's see. Let's see where we at. Um, item H, I think it is. Item H is our June 30 bank reconciliation and investments. And that is the end of the June reports. Of course, also on board docs, you have uh your um cash position report for June that we just reported. >> Yeah. >> So, any questions on the June reports? Um hearing none, we'll move on to uh July. All right, this is pretty blank slide. July, most of our parents and staff and are gone. So no donations uh starting in July. So folks are out getting some rest, relaxation, um resting up for the um year to come. May forecast is always slide number two. >> Can I
055ask a dumb question on this one too? >> Sure. >> We have three historical years and two projected years. Why don't we have like the 2425 year on this slide? >> Wait a minute. What? Say that again. >> We have 21 22 22 23 23 24 and then 25 26 26 27. We don't have 24 25. >> There's not. Uh oh. Hang on. Let me take >> like >> I saw it on the June, but I figured I'd wait till July. >> I figured we had full numbers because we just finished. >> I didn't know if there was I don't know if the heading was the heading years were wrong or if we should have a six column. >> You know what? It gets to be kind of a an odd year because this is
056a representation of what's on the forecast and we actually have actual and now the projected costs going forward. So, but you're right, it does kind of get a little a little bit weird this time of year. Yeah, it struck me. >> It paints a complete an incomplete picture like >> Yeah. either in June, you know, you should have it in actual or in projected still because you don't have if you're not done with the numbers yet, you haven't closed the books. But once you get to July's numbers, >> the LA it should fall into last year. So we should have four years historical and then two years projected. >> Yeah. >> I mean I mean it took a month or so to wrap everything up and and create that was my thought. But I hear
057your point. Yeah. >> Yeah. I do too. And this is Yeah. We're gonna have to call this something else because if I this is >> you're looking at it and I'm like well I can't tell what's going on because I'm missing data >> as everybody knows. >> I like don't want it. Yep. >> Love data. >> So yeah. >> All right. We can revise that and to put in um >> I'm assuming everybody else thinks that's a smart idea. >> 2425. I will admit that's we will call it something we will call it something different and get that actual in there. >> Thanks for pointing that >> as the chair Jason agrees. >> Well done. >> All right. Moving on um to the revenues, our five-year forecast revenues, and that of course is comparing our
058estimate to what is on the um forecast. So in July, we received just under 28 million in advances for our federal property settlement revenues. And remember, we get property taxes twice a year. And as the county collects the taxes, they make estimated payments that they refer to. They call those advances. They send us the revenues before they have done all their calculation as to the total property taxes we should receive. Um it takes them a couple months to do this. There's over a 100 political subdivisions in Hamilton County that they have to sort through. Um but they do we appreciate the fact that they realize that we want to be the one receiving the interest on our funds. So they send this money to us. So um we will get the final payout usually in
059late August or early September, but we have the majority of our money now. As you can see, um we have 45% of what we would expect to receive for the entire year. Um bottom line, July is a high cash flow month that we'll be spending down for the next six. Moving on to the expenditure. So item D um compares actuals to estimates and 8% of the year is one month um and at the end of July we have spent 8% of our expenditures. So right where we would expect to be again the next one is um our cash operating cash balance report. Uh if you take a look at that you see the balance at our beginning of year our year is 31.2 million high revenue month um spent 8 million that we would expect
060our ending cash balance at July 31st was 52 million incumbrances a lot of incumbrances are done out for the rest of the year beginning in July we have 10 point almost 10.8 8 million incumbrances and our unreserved balance at July 31st is uh 41.6 million. So the uh revenues over expenditures was 21.2 million uh for the first month of the year. Moving on to the permanent improvement fund. again. Um, item F here shows the activity just for the overall permanent improvement fund. And then we've already talked about these. As you can see, we only have 2500 left in the Turpin auditorium and that will be gone next month along with this slide. Moving on to uh the uh summer 2025 slide. You can see we've got about half spent, half left incomerances. So projects are
061moving right along there. Item G presents the investment earnings for the first month of fiscal year uh 26. So starting out pretty strong with um around uh 259,000 in investment earnings. Um that's a little bit down from last July and we're looking at that on how we're going to make our estimates. It's about 20,000 less than last July. Our balance being a lot higher. So a lot of uh Star Ohio is about a percentage point >> just investment performance. >> Yeah. Yes. Just with the the um reduction in in the interest rates. So but we'll keep our eyes on that um as it goes forward. July uh 31st bank reconciliation investments are an agenda item H. Agenda item I >> hold on. I was I was bored today. I was bored today by faculty retreat.
062So I was looking at these today. So I apologize. >> All right. >> Three hours a long time to sit and listen to accounting professors. Yeah. >> I assume the outstanding checks and the other adjustments obviously are timing issues and generally that full $936,000 or whatnot pretty much disappears and it's a brand new set of reconciling items that appear the following month. >> Yes. Yeah. >> You know, at at the end of Yeah. We've had Yeah. That is just going to be reconciling items. Outstanding checks. >> Just I'm just making sure my my question really I don't care if the outstanding checks I don't care. It's the other that I I always hate the word other because other can go for months and months and months and nobody looks at. I'm I know audited every
063year. I know you're on it. I'm just saying >> monthtomonth those balance out. And to be honest with you, I couldn't rattle them off on the top of my head, but I can certainly bring you some more information on that. >> Responsibility to ask the question. >> All right. Moving on to uh the next item, see the appointment of um building cashiers and athletic cashiers, summer school, food service cashiers, so on for the the upcoming year. Um item J is the um annual request to make the once a year transfer to our workers comp self- insurance fund for our upcoming fiscal year 26. So 150,000 into that fund. Uh fund 0 uh 27. Item K, request board approvals of expenditures that did not issue a prior PO in accordance with the revised code section 5706.41D.
064And that concludes the um July report. Any questions on the July report? Um also cash position exists for your perusal. >> So that said, hearing no questions, I respectfully request um that you approve uh my agenda item 11.1 in conjunction with the consent agenda which begins with 8.1. So move. >> Make a motion to approve items 8.1 through 11.1. >> I'll move. Prematurely moved. >> Second. >> Mr. Bell. >> Yes. >> Dr. Simmons. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Jonas. >> Yes. >> Dr. Strickler. I'm going to abstain. Um I had missed in item 8.1 that one Toby Beerman is included in supplemental contracts. So out of interest of not creating a conflict of interest, I'm going to abstain. It's wise. Mr. Mr. Reb. >> Yes. Item 12.1. Uh, >> discussion. >> Board discussion. Uh, delegate appointing
065um somebody for the Ohio School Board Association annual business meeting in November. >> That's not by any chance in Florida, is it? >> It is not. I think it's >> I before I decided to put my foot forward, I figured I'd ask the question. >> Fairly certain it's 17. Yeah. Um, I think I stepped in and did that last year. I don't mind doing it again. Um, I would not be able to stay through Tuesday this year because of classes, but if that's a Monday meeting and it works for others, I don't mind going. >> If she wants to stop her and more than one of us can go or you can have that role. It is not a super exciting meeting in case anyone >> It's not like these. >> No, it's not. >>
066It is a lot like these actually. >> They provide food. >> Oh, I can be the alternate. Right. >> I can go on Monday as well if needed. >> We don't need to vote on that, do we? >> You can appoint. >> We also need an alternate. The form >> Jason. Oh, okay. >> Item 12.2, appointment of board representative for 2025. I mean, Is that the >> I can give you a little background on that. That is >> that's the student achievement. >> It's a student achievement lays on and you can look on the OSBA website that explains what the uh student achievement leazison does. Um, basically the overall objectives, and they're short, so I'll I'll read them to you. To share with fellow board members on a monthly basis information about ways to improve
067student success and promote student achievement within the district. Two, to encourage school board colleagues to keep student achievement at the forefront of board action. and three to participate in the student achievement activities held by OSBA such as the capital conference event and regional events and encouraging other board members to do that. So we when I first started um with the board they would appoint someone but there's really unless you take the initiative there's really no event to go to uh there's no meetings there's no nothing. So the board at that point, that's when this appointment was dropped. Well, as we went to uh prepare the board roster for this upcoming school year, it would not let us hit submit unless we have one. So, we're we're coming to you so we can finish our roster
068and and have someone >> fill this role >> and get any emails that you might get. >> There you go. >> Is it really for the is it really is it for the end of 25 or is really for the school year? So, it goes through June 30th next year or >> No, it's just for the >> just for the end of 25. >> Yeah. Well, if I'm already attending OSBA and I like to talk about student achievement, I don't mind being a liazison if this is a, you know, kind of a >> title piece unless somebody else is burning for the >> the opportunity. >> There's no because I'm definitely here for the pay. >> I'm just I am open. I'm not trying to to own this if somebody else would like it, but
069uh I'm also happy to take that on. I love thinking about student achievement. So, >> President Bib, you can you can support you can point >> point >> you do not just you do not on this one. >> Next up, board discussion. Does anybody have anything? >> I have a few things. I know I I always have a few things. Apologies, but uh I I do try to make them uh impactful. Um, one just because we haven't really had a chance to to have a public meeting since June 30th and the bienial budget passed. I did just want to share as a community because that was something that was very hair on fire for several months in the spring and that we were talking about a lot and asking for advocacy on on behalf of
070public schools. Um, the budget is certainly not perfect. It certainly relies very very heavily, as we saw in Atlanta's reports, on local tax dollars. Um so we would always continue to advocate for u more equitable and adequate um school funding from the state. However, um thanks I would argue in large part to some of Governor Dwine's vetos that came through uh at the 11th hour in late June. Um we have not as a district been really harmed by the current bienial budget which to be honest is kind of the best we were hoping for with everything that was coming at public schools. So, the fact that we are fairly level in the grand scheme is a good thing right now. That doesn't mean some of the attempts to cut further funding couldn't reappear um as
071the legislature comes back this fall. There are certainly other pieces we're still keeping our eyes on, but at the moment, I just wanted to say thank you to everybody who advocated. It absolutely made a difference and in the end, we came out able to continue to to function in a way that we believe helps our our kids thrive. So, um thank you very much for that. Um secondly, uh Stacy brought up collaboration earlier and so I just have a couple notes along those lines. Same kind of um um thanks and acknowledgements. First, um there is a great collaboration going on between the district, the um Anderson Township trustees and the park board um through a steering committee looking at the needs and wants of our community when it comes to the beach acres property. how
072can we really work together and, you know, use our synergy to figure out what's the best use of that property for the school district, for the community as a whole. So, we have had um an open house. We've had focus groups and there is a survey out in the community. If you have not yet seen it, look in the newsletters coming out from the district this Friday. That will probably be the last opportunity to do the survey. that's going to be closing down soon, but we want your voice to be heard in terms of what are the opportunities we want for our students, for all the kids in the community. Um, this is a great great opportunity we have with this um this land and the the different groups coming together to collaborate. So, please
073make sure your voice is heard um on that front. Um, and then finally, I just wanted to give a thanks, um, since we don't have a lot of shout outs yet as the buildings are just getting opening and running, to everyone who was involved in helping our kids thrive through last year and all summer long. To every booster group, the music boosters, athletic boosters, theater boosters, the YMCA and their involvement in helping our kids thrive, the Forest Hills Foundation for Education, and all the work, teacher grants, student grants, the parent academy to help all of us um, work together to the benefit of our kids. the Forest Hills Council, PTAs, PTO's across every building who have been pulling together events in the last week. Um, every teacher, administrator, educator, parent who directed, produced, conducted, coached,
074taught summer subjects, um, ran camps, all of the different things that happened and to all of the administrators and teachers who I know have been working this summer to make sure that we are ready for our kids to feel welcome and come back and have a great year. I really believe it takes a village and I'm proud to be part of this one. So, thank you and apologies if I missed you. You're included in my my spirit of thanks. >> I just have a couple small things as well. Um, I think sometimes I spend too much mental capacity thinking about the future of public education in Ohio and what it, you know, all the stuff that's happening, what it means in our district. But this past week I had the opportunity to go to convocation
075on Monday morning and uh last last night was at the Nagel meet the teacher event and seeing the enthusiasm and the teachers faces and the excitement of the students and seeing students from last year coming back and seeing their teachers from the prior year um you know and the joy for those reunions just kind of is a good reminder of you know what this is and what our district is and what it means to our community and what you know what we're fighting for when we when we talk about advocating for students advocating for public funds to make sure we can keep succeeding at this level we're succeeding at. You know, Larry mentioned earlier these awesome metrics um net nationwide metrics. So, we want to sustain um those uh rankings um for the benefit of
076our our kids. So, it's it's really special going to those events and you know seeing the teachers, seeing the students, seeing the excitement at the start of the year. I did also want to mention at our last uh special meeting on July 28th, we piloted the um our evaluation tool. Um we rewarded some of the items. We met with the superintendent and treasurer to get some clarification on their roles related to some of the items. Feel like we have a solid instrument moving forward. Our plan is to do a mid uh a mid-year evaluation in December um on both the superintendent and treasurer positions. We'll be having another special meeting next month to work on a uh instrument to send out to support staff in the district uh that work with the superintendent and treasur
077to help us make our our evaluations a little bit more accurate. um you know, we're not there dayto-day in the offices being so we're not able to uh necessarily assess some of these things without feedback from some of the administrative staff that that works with these two positions. So that's the next step coming up in our special meeting on August 16th, I think. >> September September 16th. Sorry. >> I think night before regular meeting, right? >> Yes. >> Yep. So um that's all I have on that. The only thing I want to say is just to wish everybody a great 25 26 school year. >> That was easy. >> Couple things real quick. One, I didn't know I know we got the email from Larry about the the book policy. >> Is that something we
078will address at a future regular meeting, at a working meeting? Is that our thought process on that >> that we'll go ahead and hit that up at some point? All right, that's fine. I just want to make sure it's going to be on the agenda at some point here in the next month or two. >> I emailed Larry back. I I do have some questions of some things I'd like to kind of tweak a little. I mean, the I really like the the revised policy. I think having some of those age appropriate measures where we're using some independent uh third party sources to give us that information on what's age appropriate for children to read. Um having parents having the ability to um review what their what their children are are checking out from the
079books. Awesome stuff. But I do think that um you know when we go through the review process in there a huge step if a book were to be challenged or u a book be questioned it leans back on that controversial issues policy which can be you know manipulated to any anything can be viewed as controversial. You know I can make a case that anything's controversial. So whether it's making, you know, revisiting that policy to really think about specifically what are we talking about with controversial issues or um kind of kind of thinking about um how we can can tweak some of that. But I I do really appreciate the efforts that Larry, you and your team have put in on on that. >> And I should know if that was going to be something we
080do during a working meeting versus >> probably >> a board I think it seems like it's a working meeting type of >> agenda item. It was an administrative guideline change, not a policy change. So, there's nothing we have to do here, per se. >> We don't have to do. I just didn't know if we wanted to talk about it during a working meeting or something like that to allow everybody to >> express their opinions. I just I I felt it's it's a big enough issue within the district that I thought >> it made sense for all of us to come together and be a working meeting and just make sure we're all on the same page and whatnot. So, all right. Cool. Two, um, Alan and I are working. We are almost done. I'd like
081to present it actually at the working meeting in September. Hopefully won't take much time at all. Kind of our one-page summary document that I'd like to include on the front page of the website so that everybody can see financially, you know, a huge step towards complete transparency of where we are financially so people can see the history as well as the projections not only financially but as well as to incorporate the data about uh historical enrollment and future enrollment projections. And I know we're going to talk about that at a future meeting as well. Uh and then staff projections as well. We'll include in all that. So I just wanted to we're getting close. >> Yep. We're almost there. >> And I think I mentioned to everybody with that whether it's it might be a
082better um special board meeting just for that. >> Um I'd like to invite there's interesting stuff. There's some really neat >> information and I think it would be good just to have one >> and so I I'll have Jody get a hold of you and try to work up some dates and Yeah. And um if you're okay with that and because I think it'd be really good to have the person that put that together in the pop in >> you know >> whether they virtual >> I can I I know we just find the date. Let's make sure they know what the date the future think when they're available and then we can try to coordinate a date around that. >> If you're good with that. >> Well that's if it's the same day as
083our special meeting. >> That'd be great. >> Good. >> Yeah. Check them out. I have to have Jody check it out. >> Make sure you have an opportunity to ask any question. two birds, one stones >> on any of that data. >> 80 bucks. >> That's there. >> Guys are trying to deprive me of extra meeting her because my my money. >> Um couple other real quick things. Um one is just it came to mind today when I was sitting at my lovely as you heard very exciting faculty meeting and in the accounting department we have this business advisory group that just kind of helps us and and practitioners and whatnot that that are in there doing things. I didn't know. Do we have a business advisory group something out there anywhere? I didn't know
084if it was something we should should think about having something like that. I just you see and we have in the department level, we have at the college level. We have the university level certainly. I just didn't know if it was something that made sense for us to look at just and I I don't want to be I would not have it be a big group. I mean just five to seven folks just to bounce different things off and just listen to their opinions. Obviously, it's an advisory, so they don't have any say in anything, but >> you have experts in different fields that might be able to give us a little bit more lay of the land. So, anyway, just another my last thought. Um, and my >> trying to get that group together
085since we started in 22. >> Okay. >> I think I think it'd be really great to have business advisory again. >> Bringing that up. >> Oh, sure. My last thing, thank you for those of you who participate in Hawaii night tonight. Uh, if if the rest of the district is unaware, >> I would wear this on a beach. We are gonna we're going to have theme nights for the rest of the year. Uh next month is going to be red, white, and blue night. Since we are we will be meeting right after 911. I thought the red, white, and blue would be a good thing to have on the 17th during our meeting. So I just want to make sure not only we were aware, including the administrators over there. >> We decide this, >>
086but I appointed myself I appointed myself as wardrobe director. And so anybody else who wants to pop in on the 17th, feel free to support and wear the red, white, and blue. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh tomorrow's a little bittersweet for me. I have a freshman and a senior. >> It's the first time in six years both kids will be in the same school, >> which is nice. >> Less communications and emails. And >> I just I just want to wish everybody a happy and safe successful school year. >> Absolutely. >> All of you. Agreed. >> Anything else? >> I hope not. >> Yeah. Before we adjourn, Stacy, what was that salutation you used at convocation? >> No. Word to your mother. >> Word to your mother. >> Not that. >> Word to
087your mother. I'm trying to muster up the courage to use that as a sign off of my emails. >> Word to your mother. >> All right. Our next meeting will be on uh next regular schedule board meeting will be on Wednesday, September 17th. May I get a motion to adjourn? >> I'll make a motion to adjourn. >> I will second. >> Mrs. Jonas? >> Yes. >> Dr. Strickler? >> Yes. >> Mr. Bell? >> Yep. >> Dr. Simmons? >> Yes. >> Mr. Bib? >> Yes. >> 8:17.